I am a Managing Partner at Brookside Strategies, LLC, an energy and utility management consulting firm based in Darien, Connecticut. I've spilled blood, sweat and tears grappling with the full spectrum of barriers and misconceptions about distributed generation and energy-efficiency technologies. Previously, I practiced law in New York City at Paul Weiss Rifkind Garrison & Wharton, LLP and Jenner & Block, LLP. I also attended journalism school at Columbia University and earned a JD at Stanford Law School. I've written about energy and environmental issues for Forbes, The Nation, Mother Jones and several other publications. I am the Chair of the Northeast Clean Heat and Power Initiative. Drop me a line - or two - at wmp@cleanbeta.com.

I am quickly typing this post before packing my bags and heading into the hills with my wife and two young children. Local authorities have ordered residents in low-lying, coastal areas of Fairfield County, CT to evacuate their homes before noon tomorrow. I am one of those residents.

Hurricane Sandy is about to slam into the state’s coastal communities and the electric power grid is predicted to be the first casualty. United Illuminating has reportedly estimated that two thirds or more of customers will lose power in the coming days.

A growing list of towns in southeastern Connecticut are telling residents to literally head for the hills.

Bridgeport has ordered evacuations starting at noon on Sunday for areas of Black Rock, the East End, East Side, South End, West End and West Side. Three schools will be opened as shelters . . . Fairfield has ordered a mandatory evacuation of the beach area beginning at noon Sunday . . .

I imagine more towns will be instructing residents to do the same tomorrow. In the meantime, Governor Dan Malloy declared a state of emergency.

“The forecast path of Hurricane Sandy has convinced me that the signing of this declaration is necessary, and will help us react more quickly and effectively in the event of a serious weather event,” said Governor Malloy. “This storm needs to be taken seriously and just as the state is taking preparatory actions, I encourage the public and all of the state’s utility companies to do the same.”

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